Illini co-defensive coordinator turns down South Florida

John Supinie

Wednesday

Feb 25, 2009 at 12:01 AMFeb 25, 2009 at 2:16 AM

Illinois co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch has turned down an offer to become the defensive coordinator at South Florida. The former Jacksonville, Fla., high school coach, who has deep recruiting ties in that area, told Illinois coach Ron Zook on Wednesday morning that he is staying with the program.

Illinois co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch has turned down an offer to become the defensive coordinator at South Florida.

The former Jacksonville, Fla., high school coach, who has deep recruiting ties in that area, told Illinois coach Ron Zook on Wednesday morning that he is staying with the program.

"I'm glad that Dan Disch has decided to stay at Illinois,'' Zook said. "He's been with this staff from the beginning and has been a huge part of the success we've been able to build here. This was a great opportunity for him, but he felt loyal to this university, the program and the players.''

The Illini coaching staff underwent a turnover during the offseason when offensive coordinator Mike Locksley left for the heading coaching job at New Mexico, offensive line coach Eric Wolford went to South Carolina for a similar position and defensive line coach Tom Sims was fired.

Disch spent the last 16 years of a 22-year head coaching career at Ed White High School in Jacksonville. He came to Illinois as linebackers coach.

The outgoing Disch, 50, has been a recruiting dynamo for Zook and works the sidelines on gamedays. He also serves as the spokesman for the defense. He spent the last two seasons serving as co-coordinator with Curt Mallory following the abrupt departure of Vince Okruch before the 2007 season.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com.

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